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Kids Homemade Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are fun for children of anyage to play and music is a valuable resource forchildren to learn different sounds and find theirrhythm. It is a universal language in which all

children can participate.Music is an excellent learning tool because it:- Aids in the development of your child's co-ordination. Develops language skills. Provides aural training. Assists with muscular development. Importantly provides them with pleasure and delight.

All children can participate and it is free of language and cultural barriers. Music

can lead children to a wide variety of other activities including dance and games.Making their own instruments is excellent in building self-esteem and encouragesthem to be creative. It is not only fun and enjoyable but it also provides your childwith the opportunity to make something they can use and learn from. Who knows,

you might have the next Eric Clapton on your hands!So why not have fun with your kids and help them make some instruments! You canmake them from items commonly found around the home.Here's a simple one to get you started..

Make Your Own Didgeridoo

Here's instructions for a Didgeridoo that you can makevery easily which the kids will enjoy.The Didgeridoo is an ancient instrument used by Australia's native aborigines. Forthose of you who want to know more about this fascinating instrument, here are afew facts.. Possibly the world's oldest musical instrument A wind instrument originally found in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia. Is made from limbs and tree trunks hollowed out by termites (insects). Is cut to an average length of 1.3 metres (51 inches) and cleaned out with a

stick or hot coals. Was used as an accompaniment to chants and songs. Produces a low-pitch, resonant sound with complex rhythmic patterns.Whilst traditionally the Didgeridoo is made from wood, you can make one usingplastic tubing or a poster tube.

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Click here to find out more about the Didgeridoo

You will need plastic tubing, or a poster tube small or large (these are tubes thatyou can put posters in to send or protect them) and some paint for decoration.Choose the colors that you want to paint with the paint must be non-toxic andsafe for children to use). The aboriginals use natural colors, but you can use

whatever you want.Paint the whole tube with the colors of your choice, then leave it to dry (be sureto apply an initial coat of the base color first). That's all there is to it and younow have your very own home made Didgeridoo!Do not cover up the ends, as it will not make any sound.Blow into the tube and discover the different sounds that you canmake. Playing the Didgeridoo well is not an easy task but it really is abeautiful instrument and it has a great sound when played well.

http://www.aboriginalart.com.au/didgeridoo/what_is.htmlhttp://www.aboriginalart.com.au/didgeridoo/what_is.html

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Jingle Sticks

Materials :

o six metal bottle caps for each sticko six inch dowels or stickso common nails, approx. 1 3/4" longo

one nail larger in diameter, to use to punch holes in bottlecapso Polyurethane or other clear finisho optional: different colored electrical tape, and permanent black markerInstructions :

Coat dowels with 2 coats of polyurethane, and allow to dry.Using larger nail,hammer holes in the centers of the bottle caps.Using common nails, hammer 3sets of 2 bottle caps each along one side of the dowel, leaving enough dowel for

handle.If desired, decorate handle end of dowel with bands of electrical tape, anddraw design on tape with maker

Plastic Egg Shakers

Materials :

o plastic Easter eggso filling - rice and barley are recommended, but you can also

fill different eggs with different things and have children

compare soundso hot glue gun, and hot glueInstructions:

Put a couple of tablespoons (you can experiment with sound before sealing) of riceor other filling in bottom half of egg. Run a bead of hot glue along the inside edgeof the TOP of the egg. Carefully place top on and check to be sure its on straightand tight.Comments: The larger size egg is fun, but if you use eggs the size of real eggs,

you can store them in egg cartons painted to match the egg colors, and childrencan sort them when putting them away.

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Paper Mache Fruit Shakers

Materials:

o vegetable spray or cooking oilo pieces of fruito newspaper torn in to small pieceso

large tray to catch messo paste made of 3 parts water to 1 part white glueo acrylic paints and clear finish material (water-based Polyurethane is

recommended)o paint brusheso disposable gloves (optional, but very nice to have!)Instructions:

Put a thin coating of vegetable spray or oil on piece of fruit. Dip pieces of

newspaper in glue or starch, removing excess by pulling paper between fingers.Completely cover fruit with several layers of newspaper. Allow to dry for a coupleof days. Cut fruit in half with a serrated knife, and remove fruit and skin. Discardor compost. Put rice other filler in paper fruit, and use small amount of maskingtape to seal halves together. Repeat with several more layers of glue-dippednewspaper, and again allow to dry. You can lightly sand any rough edges beforepainting. Paint with appropriate fruit colors, and seal with Polyurethane.Comments: find songs that mention the fruits you are using, and fruit can be

played every time that fruit is mentioned. example:I Like to Eat Apples andBananas(traditional, can be found on Raffi recording), and Mango Fandango( canbe found on Rhythm of the Rocks, by MaryLee and Nancy, available in our OnlineShop), and of course, Shake, Shake, Shake Your Apples, the September2002 Song of the Month!

http://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htm#Rhythmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/Shakeplay.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/SongoMonth.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htm#Rhythmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/shop.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/Shakeplay.htmhttp://www.nancymusic.com/SongoMonth.htm

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Sand Blocks

Materials:

o pieces of wood (1X4 cut into 4" lengths)o felt rectangles cut to fit blocks of woodo medium grit sandpaper cut same size as felt pieceso

white or other glueo Polyurethane and brush to seal wood

* optional- stickers to decorate wood blocksInstructions:

Lightly sand wood blocks, and check to be sure there are no rough edges orsplinters. I you are decorating the blocks with stickers, place them now. Then coatbottoms and sides of all blocks with 2 coats of Polyurethane. Let dry. Glue one ortwo pieces of felt, and then a piece of sandpaper onto the blocks, and place weight

on them while they dry.

Jingle BraceletsMaterials:

o elastic ponytail holders or Chinese jump rope (one jumprope will make 7 jingle bracelets)

o elasticized gold threado scissors

o jingle bells (available by the handful at craft and fabric stores, or on cards atvariety stores)

Instructions:

If using Chinese jump rope, cut into seven inch lengths, and form bracelets bytying ends in a knot.Using elasticized thread, tie 4 jingle bells on each bracelet, Space them equallyaround the bracelet.Comments: Songs which use hand movements are quite fun when using these

bracelets. examples: Tingalayo (can be found on Raffi recording), and A Rum SumSum(can be found on Rhythm of the Rocks, by MaryLee and Nancy)

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Juice Can Shakers

Materials:

Juice cans with paper labelsDuct tape

Waxed paperRice or other similar fillingHot glueElectrical tape in different colorsInstructions:

Drink the juice, remove the paper labels and pull tab, and wash and dry the cans.Put a small amount of rice in each can. You can hold your finger over the top andshake it, to see if it seems like the right amount. Place a strip of duct tape on

waxed paper ( the waxed paper us just to act as a backing for the tape while youcut it). Trace a circle using the bottom of the can, and cut out enough duct tapecircle to have one for each can. Peel the waxed paper off, and carefully apple thetape over the top of each can. Then make a ring of hot glue around the edge ofthe duct tape to further seal the top. Lastly, put one piece of electrical tapearound the middle of each can. If you use all four colors, red, blue, yellow, andgreen, and have 12 cans, you will end up with 3 cans of each color. You can then usethe songs to learn colors in Spanish (or other languages), such as Tocan Las

Maracas (on Rhythm of the Rocks CD), or try using some of the egg-shaking songs.

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Quilting Hoop Drum

Materials :

o 14" quilting hoop (available at craft and fabric stores)o white glueo heat-shrink nylon fabric (One yard of fabric will be

enough for 8 14" drums)o clear polyurethane and brush to apply ito acrylic paint or permanent markers for making design on

drumo wooden dowelo wooden ball with pre-drilled hole the same size diameter as the dowelInstructions:Cut a 17" square of dacron. Spread a bead of glue on opposing faces of the two

hoops. Place the inner hoop on a flat surface and overlay the fabric square so thatthe sides overhang evenly. Loosen the nut on the outer hoop so you can spread itenough to fit it over the inner hoop. Tighten the wing nut as you adjust the fabric,working out any wrinkle and puckers. Let glue dry. Heat-shrink the fabric byrunning an iron at the nylon setting repeatedly over the fabric. (each drum willtighten a little differently and have a slightly different sound).Trim the excessfabric with an exacto knife. Paint a design on the drum, if desired, and finish bysealing all surfaces with a coating of clear polyurethane.

Make the drumstick by cutting a dowel in 8" piece. Glue small wooden ball on theend.

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Level of Difficulty: Easy

Here's what you'll need

Empty water bottle with lid

Masking tape Paint/markers Popcorn/dried beans

Here's how you make it...1. Wrap your water bottle from top to bottom with masking tape.2. Decorate your maraca by drawing or painting a unique design onthe masking tape.3. Fill your water bottle up with popcorn or dried beans, put the lid back on, andthen shake, shake, shake!You can put rocks in your maraca, but the sound won't be quite as pleasing.You could also wrap your maraca in different colored duct tape if you have it lying

around the house!

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Water Bottle Maraca

Dig through the recycling bin and make this Water Bottle Maraca, a great

homemade musical instrument for children of all ages! These also make great

noise makers for New Years, birthdays or other special occasions!

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Here's what you'll need

Empty water bottle with lid Masking tape Paint/markers Popcorn/dried beans

Here's how you make it...1. Wrap your water bottle from top to bottom with masking tape.2. Decorate your maraca by drawing or painting a unique design on the maskingtape.3. Fill your water bottle up with popcorn or dried beans, put the lid back on, andthen shake, shake, shake!You can put rocks in your maraca, but the sound won't be quite as pleasing.You could also wrap your maraca in different colored duct tape if you have it lying

around the house!

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How to Make an Oatmeal Box Drum

Making a drum out of an empty oatmeal box is a great way to spend a rainyafternoon at home. Oatmeal box drums aren't even too loud to be annoying.Difficulty: easyInstructions

Things You'll Need 1 empty oatmeal box; Wrapping paper, fabric, or construction paper scraps Glue; Yarn; Paint (optional); 2 new pencils; 2 cotton balls; 2 rubber bands

Glue the lid back onto the oatmeal box. The top and the bottom of the oatmealbox are the drum heads. Do not glue any fabric or paper onto either lid or you maydull the resonance of the oatmeal box drum's sound.Decide whether you will wrap or paint the sides of your oatmeal box drum to formthe background for your drum's design. Allow the glue or the paint to dry

completely before continuing to make your drum.Glue cut construction paper in a pattern of geometric shapes on top of thebackground you painted or glued on earlier. Make your pattern match the colors ofthe background either by echoing or contrasting with the colors you used. You maylike the effect formed by stringing pieces of yarn on top of the design. Glue themin place.Cut two bands out of construction paper or fabric. Make each band about twoinches wide and long enough to fit around the oatmeal box. Glue one band close tothe top of the drum. Glue the other band close to the bottom of the drum. Makesure the bands fit over the top of any yarn that you strung onto the outside ofthe oatmeal box.Make a pair of drum sticks from the new pencils. Glue one cotton ball to theeraser of each pencil. Then wrap a three inch square piece of fabric or paperaround the cotton ball so that it overlaps onto the side of the pencil. Secure thepaper or fabric to the pencil with a tightly wound rubber band.

Play the oatmeal box drum. Experiment with different rhythms. Try beating thebottom of the drum, then try the top. Use the drum sticks you made. Do you likethe sound they produce? Beat the drum with your hand. Can you change the soundby changing how many fingers you use or by beating closer to the edge of thedrum. Can you figure out how to play the rhythm of your favorite song? Turn onsome music and try to match the beat. Drumming is fun especially when you madethe drum all by yourself out of an empty oatmeal box.

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How to Make Your Own Saran Wrap DrumBy Racheal Ambrose , eHow ContributorUse Saran Wrap and an oatmeal can to make a drum. Use any size of oatmeal can.The different sized cans make different sounds when the Saran Wrap is hit. Youcan use other types of cans if you don't have an oatmeal can. Other options

include tin can, chip cans, clean paint tins and coffee cans. The Saran Wrap mayneed to be replaced after several uses, especially if the drum is hit too hard.Difficulty:

Moderately ChallengingInstructionsThings You'll Need

Empty oatmeal tin

Saran Wrap Double-sided sticky tape Construction paper Scissors Markers1.

o 1Apply double-sided sticky tape just under the lip of the top of the oatmeal

container.o 2

Stretch the Saran Wrap tightly over the top of the can. Press the Saran Wrap tothe tape.

o 3Cut off the excess Saran Wrap.

o 4Apply vertical strips of double-sided sticky tape to the outside of the can. Space

the strips about 1 inch apart.o 5

Wrap construction paper around the can, pressing it into the tape. Trim offexcess paper.

o 6Decorate the construction paper with markers, if desired.

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Read more: How to Make Your Own Saran Wrap Drum |eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_6226095_make-own-saran-wrap-drum.html#ixzz1NNuWYube

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